Comparative analysis of alpha-fetoprotein, carbohydrate antigen 19-9, carcinoembryonic antigen, and prostate-specific antigen among conventional cigarette smokers, heated tobacco product users and quitters.

Introduction: The association of Heated Tobacco Products (HTPs) use on cancer-related biomarkers remains unclear. This study aimed to compare the levels of tumor markers, specifically alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and prostate-specific antigen (PSA), between combustible cigarette (CC) smokers, any HTP users, and quitters.

Methods: This cross-sectional study compared tumor marker levels (AFP, CA 19-9, CEA, PSA) among 750 adult males: 250 CC smokers, 250 any HTP users, and 250 quitters.

Enhanced stem cell-mediated therapeutic immune modulation with zinc oxide nanoparticles in liver regenerative therapy.

Liver regenerative therapy is critical for severe liver damage, including acute liver failure, fibrosis, post-cancer resection recovery, and autoimmune liver diseases, where restoration of liver tissues is essential. Stem cell-based therapies hold significant promise in liver regeneration by modulating immune responses to create a favorable healing microenvironment. However, their clinical efficacy has been limited by challenges such as poor cell engraftment and survival within the hostile injury site.

Adipose-derived stem cell-based anti-inflammatory paracrine factor regulation for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.

Stem cell-based therapies offer promising avenues for treating inflammatory diseases owing to their immunomodulatory properties. However, challenges persist regarding their survival and efficacy in inflamed tissues. Our study introduces a novel approach by engineering adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) to enhance their viability in inflammatory environments and boost the secretion of paracrine factors for treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Distributed Authentication Model for Secure Network Connectivity in Network Separation Technology.

Considering the increasing scale and severity of damage from recent cybersecurity incidents, the need for fundamental solutions to external security threats has increased. Hence, network separation technology has been designed to stop the leakage of information by separating business computing networks from the Internet. However, security accidents have been continuously occurring, owing to the degradation of data transmission latency performance between the networks, decreasing the convenience and usability of the work environment.

V-Set and Immunoglobulin Domain-Containing 1 (VSIG1), Predominantly Expressed in Testicular Germ Cells, Is Dispensable for Spermatogenesis and Male Fertility in Mice.

To elucidate the functional role of V-set and immunoglobulin domain-containing 1 (VSIG1) in spermatogenesis and fertilization, we knocked out (KO) VSIG1 in a mouse embryo using CRISPR/Cas9 (Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat/CRISPR-associated protein 9) -mediated genome editing. Reverse transcription PCR was performed using cDNA synthesized from VSIG1 KO testis RNA. Although Western blot analysis using a specific antibody to VSIG1 confirmed VSIG1 protein defects in the KO mice, hematoxylin-eosin staining analysis was similar in the KO and wild-type mice.

Candidate genes for Alzheimer's disease are associated with individual differences in plasma levels of beta amyloid peptides in adults with Down syndrome.

We examined the contribution of candidates genes for Alzheimer's disease (AD) to individual differences in levels of beta amyloid peptides in adults with Down syndrom, a population at high risk for AD. Participants were 254 non-demented adults with Down syndrome, 30-78 years of age. Genomic deoxyribonucleic acid was genotyped using an Illumina GoldenGate custom array.

Gene-wise association of variants in four lysosomal storage disorder genes in neuropathologically confirmed Lewy body disease.

Objective: Variants in GBA are associated with Lewy Body (LB) pathology. We investigated whether variants in other lysosomal storage disorder (LSD) genes also contribute to disease pathogenesis.

Methods: We performed a genetic analysis of four LSD genes including GBA, HEXA, SMPD1, and MCOLN1 in 231 brain autopsies.

Association of weekend continuity of care with hospital length of stay.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of physician continuity of care with length of stay, likelihood of weekend discharge, in-hospital mortality and 30-day readmission.

Design: A cohort study of hospitalized medical patients. The primary exposure was the weekend usual provider continuity (UPC) over the initial weekend of care.

Estrogen receptor β variants modify risk for Alzheimer's disease in a multiethnic female cohort.

Background: Few studies of gene variants that affect estrogen activity investigate their association with age at onset of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in women of different ethnicities. We investigated the influence of ESR2 polymorphisms on age at onset of AD in a multiethnic cohort of women.

Objectives: To determine whether gene variants would affect risk for AD differently in women of different population ancestries.

Polymorphisms in HSD17B1: Early Onset and Increased Risk of Alzheimer's Disease in Women with Down Syndrome.

Background/Aims. Genetic variants that affect estrogen activity may influence the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In women with Down syndrome, we examined the relation of polymorphisms in hydroxysteroid-17beta-dehydrogenase (HSD17B1) to age at onset and risk of AD.

Estrogen receptor-Beta variants are associated with increased risk of Alzheimer's disease in women with down syndrome.

Background/aims: Genetic variants that affect estrogen activity may influence the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We examined the relation of polymorphisms in the gene for the estrogen receptor-beta (ESR2) to the risk of AD in women with Down syndrome.

Methods: Two hundred and forty-nine women with Down syndrome, 31-70 years of age and nondemented at baseline, were followed at 14- to 18-month intervals for 4 years.

Replication of the LINGO1 gene association with essential tremor in a North American population.

A marker in the LINGO1 gene, rs9652490, showing significant genome-wide association with essential tremor (ET), was recently reported in an Icelandic population. To replicate this association in an independent population from North America, we genotyped 15 SNPs in the LINGO1 gene in 257 Caucasian ET cases ('definite,' 'probable' or 'possible') and 265 controls enrolled in an epidemiological study at Columbia University. We observed a marginally significant association with allele G of the marker rs9652490 (P=0.

Mutations in the Parkinson's disease genes, Leucine Rich Repeat Kinase 2 (LRRK2) and Glucocerebrosidase (GBA), are not associated with essential tremor.

We evaluated an association between essential tremor (ET) and the Parkinson's disease (PD) genes, Leucine Rich Repeat Kinase 2 (LRRK2) and Glucocerebrosidase (GBA). Clinical studies demonstrate an association between ET and PD, suggesting possible shared pathophysiologies, yet LRRK2 has rarely been studied in ET, and GBA, not at all. ET cases (n = 275, including 42 with rest tremor) and controls (n = 289) were enrolled in an epidemiological study (Columbia University).

Probing genetic overlap among complex human phenotypes.

Geneticists and epidemiologists often observe that certain hereditary disorders cooccur in individual patients significantly more (or significantly less) frequently than expected, suggesting there is a genetic variation that predisposes its bearer to multiple disorders, or that protects against some disorders while predisposing to others. We suggest that, by using a large number of phenotypic observations about multiple disorders and an appropriate statistical model, we can infer genetic overlaps between phenotypes. Our proof-of-concept analysis of 1.

Genetic contribution to brachial artery flow-mediated dilation: the Northern Manhattan Family Study.

Background: Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) is a non-invasive measure of endothelial function. Endothelial dysfunction has been associated with traditional vascular risk factors and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The importance of genetic contribution to FMD and baseline brachial artery diameter has not been shown in Hispanic populations.

Towards a reference model for representing nursing information needs.

Information needs studies in clinical settings often face the problem of integrating and analyzing data collected using different study tools. Generally, a coding taxonomy or a model is developed to capture and code the study data. Significant efforts are required to develop a model that not only captures the study data but is also closer to the clinical domain to draw meaningful real world inferences.

Outcome after traumatic frontal intracerebral haemorrhage: a comparison of unilateral and bilateral haematomas.

Frontal intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) is a common result of cranial trauma. Outcome differences between bilateral and unilateral frontal ICH are not well studied but would be valuable to predict prognosis in clinical practice. Two aims are proposed in this study: first to compare the risk of developing delayed ICH after bilateral or unilateral frontal ICH, and second to determine the variables helpful to predict outcome according to the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS).

Impact of family history of high myopia on level and onset of myopia.

Purpose: To investigate the impact of a positive family history of high myopia on the level and onset of myopia and its ocular components.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. The participants (aged 17 to 45 years) were categorized into four groups: normal, mild, moderate, and high myopia.

Genetic and environmental contributions to carotid intima-media thickness and obesity phenotypes in the Northern Manhattan Family Study.

Background And Purpose: Both carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and obesity are independent determinants of stroke and cardiovascular disease. The prevalence of obesity is higher in Hispanics. The genetic basis of IMT and obesity has not been well-characterized in Caribbean Hispanics.

Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural comparative study of external lamina structure in 31 cases of cellular, classical, and melanotic schwannomas.

Unlike most soft tissue tumors, schwannoma is characterized by the presence of distinct linear, frequently duplicated external lamina (EL). Although electron microscopy remains the gold standard for demonstrating this unique feature and distinguishing its morphologic variants from mimickers, the use of two anti-EL antibodies, laminin and type IV collagen, appears to supersede electron microscopy in terms of current practice. To determine whether immunohistochemical expression correlates with ultrastructural findings, 10 cellular schwannomas, 18 classic schwannomas, and 3 melanotic schwannomas were evaluated ultrastructurally and immunohistochemically using antibodies to type IV collagen and laminin.

Comparison of the handheld Retinomax K-Plus2 and on-table autokeratometers in children with and without cycloplegia.

Purpose: To compare the keratometry measurements in children by the handheld Nikon Retinomax K-Plus2 (Rmax) and the on-table Topcon KR8100 autokeratometers and evaluate the degree of agreement in the 2 instruments between children with and without cycloplegia.

Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, Kaohsiung Municipal United Hospital, and Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Methods: The first cohort comprised 61 children who were consecutively collected in the pediatric ophthalmology clinic.

Comparison of the linkage results of two phenotypic constructs from longitudinal data in the Framingham Heart Study: analyses on data measured at three time points and on the average of three measurements.

Background: Family studies are often conducted in a cross-sectional manner without long-term follow-up data. The relative contribution of a gene to a specific trait could change over the lifetime. The Framingham Heart Study offers a unique opportunity to investigate potential gene x time interaction.

Comparison of measurements of refractive errors between the hand-held Retinomax and on-table autorefractors in cyclopleged and noncyclopleged children.

Purpose: To compare the measurement of refractive errors (sphere, cylinder, and axis) between the hand-held Retinomax and on-table Topcon autorefractors in cyclopleged and noncyclopleged young children. The average bias and measurement agreement were assessed.

Design: Observational cross-sectional study.